Linda K. Sienkiewicz's Blog, page 51

Penny Candy Memories

The recently installed penny candy counter in Lytle Pharmacy brings back memories of the candy stores of my girlhood.

Merkel’shobby shop was across the street from mymiddle school in Independence, Ohio. It was the place where, on a dare, I attempted topocket a Hershey’s bar. I lost my nerve.I liked Merkel’s and the friendlyownerwho always welcomed thechildren who flocked insideafter school.The guilt would have eaten away at me.

My favorite candy was theNecco Dotson paper strips, and Nik-L-Ni...

Goodreads Giveaway for New Years

Add your name to the fast-growing list of people who love this book!

IN THE CONTEXT OF LOVE GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

Buddhapuss Ink is running a New Years Goodreads Giveaway for In the Context of Love!

Link:Goodreads Giveaway Availability:1 copy available Giveaway dates:Dec 26 – Jan 02, 2016 Countries available:US and CAN .

Win a copy of the book that’s garnered praise from authors like Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of the #1 NY Times Bestseller, Deep End of the Ocean: “With tenderness, but without...

Memories of Christmas Dolls

Chatty Cathy

Chatty Cathy dolls were a wildly popular Christmas gift in the sixties that bring fond (and some not so fond) memories.

Bunny said she pulled the cord out of her Chatty on Christmas Night; thering was attached to a string that was connected to aphonograph record, driven by a metal coil. The record played eleven sayings in the original 1959 doll. Bunny’s dad, wearing a tea towel as a surgical mask, performed surgery the following morning on the kitchen table. Mother was the “nurse...

What, Why, How: Carolyn Walker

WHAT?

It seems like I fall into the activities I do best, or maybe I should say do with the greatest affection. A few years ago, reflecting on the fact that my father, sister and son are all artists, I wondered if I, too, could make art. I fell innocently enough into painting naked old ladies. Why naked? Because I’m an untrained artist, haven’t a clue about perspective or the color wheel or technique, and I can’t paint clothes. I’m no good at folds or wrinkles.

Similarly, I fell into the wri...

Activewear for Writers

“Did you get a gym membership?” the saleswoman at Dunham Sporting Goods asked as she rung up the armload of sale-pricedactivewearI dumped on the counter.

“No,” I said. “I need new work clothes. I’m a writer.”

What were once called lowly sweatpants and sweatshirts have been upgraded to athletic wear or activewear. Whatever you call it, it’scomfortable. Free your body, and your mind will follow, I say.I don’t mean writers should write in the nude, but we haveto be comfy.

When I was a girl, my m...

Colleen M. Story: What Makes a Writer?

What Makes a Writer a Writer, and Am I One?

Are you a real writer?

It’s a loaded question to ask a room full of writers. Some will be offended that you even asked. “I write, therefore I’m a writer,” they’ll quip. Others will have answers, but they’ll likely land all over the map.

A writer writes, it’s true. But after nearly 20 years of making a living freelance writing while writing fiction on the side, I think it’s a little more complicated than that. When Linda invited me to be on her blog...

Winter Book Giveaway!

To say thank you to my readers and newsletter subscribers,I’mholding a Winter Giveaway for a signed copy of In the Context of Love.

Ican send the bookto you or to a recipient of your choice. I’ll even gift wrap it for you!US addresses only.

One winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends December 14th at 9 pm EST.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling me what you like most aboutwinter. I understand this may be difficultfor some of you, but surely you can think of something… a...

A Family Not Forgotten

It didn’t seem that long ago that the grave markers of this family of four in Mount Avon Cemetery were bestowedwith American flags, bouquets of flowers, miniature plastic soccer balls, dolls and butterflies, and the grass around them had been trimmed and tidy. The colorful and playful decorations had drawnme to them years ago as I walked through the cemetery.I remember beingstartledtoread that Jacob Vaness Young was born the same month and year as I was, and that the entire family had died on...

What, Why, How: Jennae Vale

WHAT?

Time travel romance is the genre I not only enjoy writing the most, but it’s also my favorite genre to read. My fascination with time travel started at an early age. I was always the girl staring off into space daydreaming in history and geography class. I wanted to live in so many of those times and places I learned about in school. I wanted to experience what those people experienced, and what better way to do that than through a book. I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can...

Advent Calendar Project

When my children were little we had a felt advent calendar with a tree and little plastic ornaments with velcro on the back. Each day you took an ornamentfrom the calendar and stuckit on the tree. Its beauty was its visual simplicity as they counted down the days till Christmas, and I didn’t have to answer “How many days…?”

Over the years, some ornaments disappeared under the refrigerator or our chocolate Lab chewed them to bits, and, without replacements, thecalendar ended up in the dustbin....